Printrbot simple 2014 resolution problems

Question

My printrbot is printing very strange, it will print the first five or so layers really good, but after that the perimeter becomes very rough and the printer extruder seems to dig into the plastic that it is printing. I am still using string for the pulleys, but they are always kept tight,has anyone else had this problem? If so please help!

Nate1616 · Accepted Answer

Ezra

I would first retune your machine's firmware. For example PID tuning by sending M303 E0 S200 C8. M303 starts the tuning process, E0 is defining your extruder to test, S200 is temp so this can change, for example if you use pla I would set to 185 and finally C8 is the number of cycles you want it to do. This will take a while so dont be worried if it runs for 5 minutes or longer.

Like Michael said you have lifting off the bed/curling in your parts which causes the nozzle to smash into the print slowing the flow of filament. Once you have finished the calibration process I would lower your printing temp. 200 degrees is a little on the hot side for pla. I run mine usually at 175-180 which is a little cooler. You might also want to have a fan blowing on the print as pla if very good at holding heat or as stated above have the infill something like a honeycomb shape allowing for more uniform, faster cooling. Adding something to your bed will help in the print sticking to the bed. I usually use blue painters tape. The downside is the part sticks a little to much but with a little work the part comes off.

Nate

michaelwylie · Answer

See how the edges are curling up? I think that because of the edges curling up the extruder is hitting the piece while it is printing. The edges curling is only an issue when the piece is thick. There are a few options you can try: Reduce the volume of the piece by reducing the fill amount. This sometimes works. Best results come from mixing a little filament with some acetone and making a sort of glue from it. Take a Q-tip, dip it into the filament/acetone mixture and smear it on the print bed in the area you will be printing. This will hold the edges of the print down while printing.